A .38 caliber revolver was confiscated from a student’s book bag at Gentry Middle School Wednesday afternoon, according to school and law enforcement officials.

The gun was loaded, although officials were quick to point out there was never a direct threat made against anyone at the school.

Surry County School officials and Sheriff Graham Atkinson issued a joint statement shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday, saying the gun was confiscated after school was dismissed for the day.

According to the statement Principal Paige Badgett of Gentry Middle School received information that a handgun was located in a book bag that had been left at the school. School officials were unavailable for comment at press time on how exactly Badgette received the information.

Upon investigation, Badgett confiscated the loaded revolver from a student’s book bag. Surry County Public Information Officer Sonia Dickerson said the situation was handled in a manner she termed efficiently and appropriately with the assistance of Sheriff Atkinson and his office.

Because the weapon was discovered after school was dismissed the campus did not go into lock down. Parents were notified of the finding by the automated telephone system after 9 p.m.